Subscribe to my RSS Parajunkee on Twitter Like on Facebook! Goodreads YouTube Tumblr
Paypal
Google Email Me! google Amazon profile
Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy, books, movie, giveaways and more! This blog has moved. View latest greatest info at parajunkee.com

3.29.2011

Guest Post & Giveaway Carolyn Turgeon


Flip your fins in welcome to the fabulous Carolyn Turgeon, author extroidinaire of Mermaid: A Twist on the Classic Tale. I love fairy tale retelling, what about you?
Author: Carolyn Turgeon
Genre: Adult, Fairy Tale
Fantasy Element: Mermaids (Obviously)
Order Online:  Amazon.com
Stalk the Author: Web | Twitter | Blog






Hello! So I wanted to introduce you all to my new book Mermaid, which is a retelling of the original Little Mermaid story (the one by Hans Christian Andersen, which is very different from the one with singing crabs) and its three main characters: the mermaid princess Lenia, the human princess Margrethe, and the hot human prince they’re both in love with, Christopher.

These are all characters straight from the original story, though they are unnamed there, and the human princess shows up only briefly at the beginning and briefly at the end of the original story but still manages to snag the prince, thereby breaking the mermaid’s heart. (In the Disney film, the princess is made into an evil villainess because romantic rivals are always evil incarnate, especially if they are of the female sort, and it is the mermaid Ariel who gets her prince because that is what Disney heroines do).

Here is me dressed as said
mermaid for a costume ball,
by the way.
There are other characters in the book as well, of course, like various kings and advisors and abbesses and ladies-in-waiting and sea witches and mermaid sisters. Mermaid is set in medieval Scandinavia so there is also a lot of ice gloomy seascape and ominous castles rising from cliffs. And there’s the world at the bottom of the sea.

This is Lenia’s world, though Lenia longs to visit the world above, which at the beginning of the book she knows only through her sisters’ stories (they are all allowed to visit the human world only once, on their 18th birthdays) and the bone-filled shipwrecks littering the ocean floor.

In writing Mermaid, it was a bit of challenge imagining what it would be like to be such a creature, a young mermaid at the bottom of the sea. Of course she has a tail, which I imagined would be very powerful, propelling her through the ocean quickly and surely in a way she would miss as a human, after she makes the exchange with the sea witch. Imagine. You can swim in the deep ocean! You have gills, you can see in the dark, you have a powerful tail moving back and forth behind you. You can’t have normal human skin on your upper body in that kind of environment, right? It must be hard, kind of glittering and smooth, protecting you from cold and whatever else lurks down in the deep. All those giant squid and glow-in-the-dark creatures with weird spindly appendages. How free and wild it would feel, racing through the water!

I loved creating the mermaid world for this book, but the scenes I liked writing most were after Lenia visits the sea witch, drinks the potion that transforms her tail to legs and makes her fit for the human world (at great price of course). Her tail turns to legs, her skin turns to human skin, and she feels naked and strange and weak. Imagine feeling wind for the first time, air and grass and the dry world. Imagine taking a bath and slipping into a gown. Imagine every single thing, every feeling and sensation, being brand new. And imagine seeing a horse for the first time, and then riding one.

Here is how I did it:

Lenia stared, shocked. These huge black creatures with thin tall necks, the long faces bobbing up and down as if they were floating on water. Their black eyes on the sides of their heads, staring. Like fish, she thought, breathing in.

…..

Lenia swayed back and forth on top of the animal, grasping the reins. She could feel the blood moving through the horse, its pounding heart. With each step she felt more in line with its body.

The dogs were released, a pack of animals bolting out ahead of them, and the group of them followed. Lenia’s horse began to gallop, to run, and she was not afraid, but felt a part of it. She leaned into her steed, shifted her body so that they moved faster and faster. And she was laughing, soundlessly, as the hounds rushed ahead and the horse raced to follow. The wind streamed against her skin like water. In front of her the men charged forward, and the prince was in front of all of them, lifting his weapon.

She tore into the wind, faster than anyone else. It was wonderful, the feel of this powerful beast under her, moving her through the forest as if she were swimming, as if she were being propelled by her powerful tail. She felt less awkward, freer on this animal. She hadn’t realized how much it was a part of her, that power that had come from living in her mermaid’s body, having that strong tail that pushed her through the water. Here, now, she almost had that back. Almost, but not quite. And for a moment, she missed it, that freedom and power she’d had once, with every fiber of her being.

Mermaid: A Twist on the Classic TaleI haven’t even mentioned that other big difference between a mermaid and her human self: she now has genitals! Which are very convenient when one is leaving the sea and entering the himan world in order to get with a prince. But this isn’t really the time nor place to discuss that and I’m just about out of room anyways. =)








Contest Deets FOUR WINNERS:
TWO (2) winners will receive signed copies of Mermaid: A Twist on the Classic Tale

TWO (2) winners will receive Mermaid: A Twist on the Classic Tale swag packs.
 
Requirements:
Following is not required but is appreciated!
US Only


Comment to win, flip your fins for this one:
You've just sold something very important to the sea witch to become a human. What is it? (What would you give up for love?) And, what do you think would be the most thrilling to experience for the first time as a human?



Please Spread the Word
1. Tweet:
WIN! Signed Mermaid by Carolyn Turgeon hosted by @parajunkee & @Tynga #ParanormalSpringBreak #giveaway http://bit.ly/hZ00jw PLZ RT

Legal Stuff:
  1. Parajunkee's View or Tynga's Reviews is not responsible for items lost in shipping or items shipped from 3rd party sponsors. 
  2. Winners are chosen using a random number generator based on the comment number.
  3. You do not have to be a follower to participate.
  4. Winners will be announced on this blog on April 6th and by email if one is provided either in comments or on your profile.
  5. There is no limit to the amount of giveaways you can enter during Paranormal Spring Break but you can only enter each giveaway once (main entry and any extra entries available), if it is found that a person has entered the same giveaway more than the allotted entries those entries will be disqualified.
  6. If it is not stated, it should be assumed that giveaway items have been provided by a 3rd party as a donation to Parajunkee's View.

63 comments:

Ricki said...

Walking would definitely be the first thrilling experience as a human. As for the first question, I don't know - maybe my books?
rickimc[at]aol[dot]com

SandyG265 said...

I think the first time riding in a car would be thrilling.

sgiden at verizon.net

LRAtRandom said...

Hhmm, something very important...I would sell my kayak.

As for something thrilling on land, I will say dancing.

Thanks for the awesome contest!

Jen
Lratrandom@gmail.com
Http://lratrandom.blogspot.com/

Mandy P. said...

Great excerpt! This book sounds interesting... Call me cynical or selfish - but I'm not sure there's anyone I'd give up something as important as my voice for. I mean - what if he didn't even feel the same? Ha!

mpyff(at)hotmail(dot)com

WildIrishRose33 said...

Hmm.... What would I give up for love... that's a tough one. I don't know. I think if I gave anything up I'd end up regretting it down the line. And like mpyff said, what if he doesn't even feel the same? Then the sacrifice was a waste.
And most thrilling first experience as a human... I'd say running. Feeling the wind in your hair, the adrenaline rushing through you. The joy of being that free.

wilirisros33@aol.com

JessiM said...

Wow, tough one. Sell for Love? Ummm...hehehe...my books? Yeah, I think that would be quite the sacrifice. Can you even imagine?

And I would have to say it's a tie between running and dancing (once, of course, you've mastered walking).

readinginthecorner11(at)gmail(dot)com

Vidisha said...

Umm give sumthing up.....ummm not sure...anything for love i suppose....and first thing would be walking on ur feet....

vidishamun@gmail.com

Jessy said...

That's a tough one. I think I could give up my house or car for love. As for the second question, I think it would be thrilling to fly for the first time being a human.

findjessyhere at gmail dot com

Victoria said...

I guess I'd give up home and family for love because that person would become those to me.
I thinking walking would be the first thrilling experience. It would most likely hurt.
Tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/Jovial_1/status/52741595581259776

vsloboda(at)gmail(dot)com

Riv Re said...

Very interesting! Love the ending tidbit of info in the guest post ;)
I don't think I could give up my books, though maybe...my music? I may regret it, but it would be a great sacrifice to give up something I love so much. Or maybe my writing? I love writing, but maybe I'd think it were worth it...
Going for a run would probably be the most fun and thrilling! It's exhilarating, feet pounding the pavement, practically flying over the ground!
Thanks, PJ!
rivkarno1(at)hotmail(dot)com

Teril said...

You've just sold something very important to the sea witch to become a human. What is it?
I guess it would depend on what I had to sell and how much I wanted to become human. Maybe a year of my life to become that.
(What would you give up for love?) If I was a mermaid and then become human I would have given up the sea for love.
And, what do you think would be the most thrilling to experience for the first time as a human?
Running. Sometimes I love a good run.

The book looks amazing.

terilhack at yahoo dot com

Kaya H said...

I would give six months of service to work for the sea witch to become human. I would give up my fins for the love of a human man.
The most thrilling thing would be running or jumping on a trampoline.
ohh I love those.
Ohh this looks like a great story, I cannot wait to read it.

kasuranna at yahoo dot com

Unknown said...

You've just sold something very important to the sea witch to become a human. What is it? (What would you give up for love?)I would give up my voice and my fins and life under water for true love. And, what do you think would be the most thrilling to experience for the first time as a human? To experience dancing and walking for the first time. Running for the first time feeling my hair blowing in the wind. Seeing the sunset and rise and a full moon. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com

The book girl said...

Weeelll, the most importand thing to me is books, so I'd probably give up those. As for the most thrilling experience of being a human, it would have to be tasting human food. Nothing better than that!

emmanemgirl@gmail.com

Vivien said...

I would give up a year of my life. I think that's something a sea witch could use and want desperately.
I think something thrilling to experience for the first time is a kiss. Also, the best meal that can be bought at a restaurant. Tastes can be overwhelming for the first time.

Vivien
deadtossedwaves at gmail dot com

Tales of Whimsy said...

LOVE her T!
(not an entry)

Amosette said...

My most precious thing would be my memory and the most thrilling experience as a new human would be a pedicure!

officiallyjewels@gmail.com
thanks julie

Lisa said...

As I was thinking about this question I realized I'm kind of selfish and don't know if I'd give up anything that precious to me. Maybe one memory but it couldn't be too important. I think my first new experience as a human would have to include running with my new legs.

Lisa, bell198@aol.com

Liz Tea said...

Wow...giving up something for love? Honestly, I'd probably give up something like my home. But I guess it would really depend on the sea witch. There really isn't much I wouldn't give up for true love. ;D And the most thrilling first land experience? I'd definitely have to go with just breathing air for the first time. It would be a total trip to go from breathing water/using gills, to just suck in a big ole lungful of pure oxygen.

tealeafreview (at) gmail (dot) com

Ashley said...

I can't think of something I'd give up for love, because anything valuable enough to mean something to give up would mean I'm losing part of myself. And, I know it's the sea witch, and not the prince who makes her give something up, but I wouldn't want to be involved with someone who would make me give up something that important...

basicallyamazingbooks [at] gmail.com

Lisa (Read.Breathe.Relax.) said...

I JUST had Mermaid on my Hot off the Press feature on my blog! I'm so excited to read this book! :)

I'm a new follower and am looking foward to reading more posts!

Lucia (iLive, iLaugh, iLove Books) said...

I guess it really depends on what she's looking for. I'm not too sure what I would give up... although if it's for love, wouldn't it be anything?

iLiveiLaughiLoveBooks@gmail.com

kristina shields said...

I guess I would give up my house or car.
The most exhilarting experience a mermaid turned human would probably be walking and experiencing memories with other humans.

spicedcie45@gmail.com

BLHmistress said...

I think I would give up just about anything - books, my pc and if thats not what she is after I would gladly work for her.

Most exciting experience was the birth of my son

vampiremistress2010(at)gmail(dot)com

BLHmistress said...

I tweeted

http://twitter.com/#!/BookLovershaway/status/52858322826702848

Diana said...

It kinda depends on what the sea witch is asking for!... I would be willing to trade anything for love! Well, maybe not ANYTHING; but i can negociate ;)haha!

Diana
lovelygetaway@gmail.com

Jaidis said...

I would have to barter and see if there was something else to give up other then whats most precious to me. After all, if I'm willing to give it up then it can't be the most precious thing because I couldn't imagine trading it.

I definitely think walking would be something to experience. Also, the wide range of food selections since Mermaids are limited to sea food. Can you imagine a mermaid eating chocolate for the first time..hehe

JaidisShaw at yahoo dot com

Barbara E. said...

What I'd sell to the sea witch would be my favorite string of pearls, which of course I'd have living in the sea. I think the most thrilling experience for the first time as a human, just being able to feel the wind on my face and have legs and feet to run along the beach.

Barbed1951 at aol dot com

as always ♥ Carol said...

I don't know if i could give the most precious thing of mine for love it would be extremely hard. The thing 2nd most precious would be my home I guess, that I might be able to do not sure but it's more possible than the first thing. I think being on a swing because even now it feels awesome to me ever time lol. Feeling like you are flying, the freedom, and exhilaration is awesome so being on a swing is top most experience in my opinion.

as always ♥, Carol
caroespejel15@yahoo.com

Veronica said...

I would give up my books for love. As for what would be the most thrilling thing as a human...maybe being able to swim with feet instead of fins. It would be cool to feel the difference.

velopez92@gmail.com

Tiffany Drew said...

Hmmm, I don't know what I would give up to the sea witch. I don't know if I would want to make a deal with her, she doesn't have a very good history of being honest and holding up her end of the bargain. She is a tricky one! I have nothing of value, except my children, and I wouldn't give them up for anything :)

First experience as a human? Definitely walking and being able to dance and run.

jaidahsmommy(at)comcast(dot)net

Tiffany Drew said...

Tweeted:

http://twitter.com/#!/enterthedrew/status/52909073645051904

jaidahsmommy(at)comcast(dot)net

Capucine said...

I would give up my...ipod with all my music on it. I really love my ipod and i love listening to music. It helped me through some tough times. The most thrilling thing I would do as a human would probably be go on a rollercoaster. I'm afraid to go now, but imagine if you've lived the water for your whole life, not knowing the thrill?
capumegard(at)yahoo(dot)fr

Unknown said...

I sold my soul! YES, to a vampire-mermaid-demon. The thing that makes it worth it is the air in the country and the sun on my skin. The feel of grass beneath bare feet in a field of flowers.

Tweeted as well.

robin [at] intensewhisper [dot] com

Melissa (Books and Things) said...

I don't know. If you gave up too much then would it be true love? I mean you wouldn't be you anymore. I honestly don't know. The first thing I would enjoy would be squishing the sand between the toes. :)

books (dot) things (at) yahoo (Dot) com

Melissa (Books and Things) said...

tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/BooksThings/status/52915795059146752

Megan@Riverina Romantics said...

If I had the chance to sell something for TRUE love that was important to me I would probably sell my comp. I'm on it all the time. It's like it's attached to my hip.

I think a thrilling first time human experience for a mermaid would be walking

rootml1@hotmail.com

~Enamored Soul~ said...

Thank you so much for this amazing giveaway! I love the cover of the book, and it sounds like an exciting and interesting read! :)


You've just sold something very important to the sea witch to become a human. What is it?

Answer: I'd give up my longevity. If I traded my voice, I wouldn't be able to vocalize to the man I love that I love him. If I gave my sight, I wouldn't be able to see his face and capture loving moments with him and transform them to memories. If I gave up my hearing, I wouldn't be able to hear him tell me how much he loves me. I could give my prized possessions, such as my music and books away - but in the big picture, if life ensues, I'm sure I could get those back, and then what kind of a sacrifice would that be? Plus, I don't want to underestimate the sea witch,I am sure she's cunning enough to want something permanent. I thought I'd give up my youth and beauty, after being able to spend some time with him, but then I realized that it would hurt immensely to see him love another. So, in conclusion, I'd give up my life. I'd ask for a five years with him, and in turn, at the end of the fifth year, she can take however many years I have left to live, and add them to her own. I mean, this is LOVE we're talking about - it would most certainly be worth a sacrifice of that magnitude, don't you think?

And, what do you think would be the most thrilling to experience for the first time as a human?

Answer: As much as walking would be a thrilling experience, I am sure, I think it could not compare to dancing in the arms of the man I love. Dancing, a slow and soulful dance to a song like "What A Wonderful World" by Louis Armstrong would probably be the most thrilling experience, ever - because it would not only combine motion, but emotion, as well :)

Email: Enamoredsoul(at)gmail(dot)com
Twitter: @inluvwithbookz

ChiKittie said...

Thank you so much for this giveaway. I have been so wanting to read these books. :)


- I would sell my first born to the sea witch. If I could live on land with the man I love. It would be hard to loose a baby but I know I somehow would find a way to get the baby back.
The firs thing I would do would be to dance on the sand and soak up the warm sun on my skin.

ChiKittie(at)gmail(dot)com

ChiKittie said...

I have tweeted this giveaway:

http://twitter.com/#!/SyCo4Twilight/status/53101645126574080

ChiKittie(at)gmail(dot)com

Sheena Gossett said...

I would give up my computer for love. Everyone has come to depend on their computers for so much in life. I would give that up for someone who would be my everything.

First experience...Sex. Sex is phenomenal with the right person. Just pray my love was the right person.

chamsmama(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

If I gave up anything then it wouldn't be love, I'd come to resent him even if he never knew. The first thing I'd do would be to go to a forest when there was a summer rainstorm :)

Morganlafey86@aol.com

Anonymous said...

tweeted here: http://twitter.com/#!/YearofTiger86/status/53187339261980673

Morganlafey86@aol.com

Minas said...

The first thing I would enjoy would be walking for the first time.

minas_1989(at)hotmail(dot)com

Minas said...

I tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/MT0089/status/53194114514173954

minas_1989(at)hotmail(dot)com

Judy said...

I would say tasting, and I would sell my car..


Judy
magnolias_1[at]msn[dot]com

Misty said...

I would sell my laptop. I'm a modern girl; my world revolves around it. Though what a sea witch would do with a laptop...
And I was tempted to say food at first (and YES, it would be a big one), but I think it would be experiencing spring for the first time. Laying in soft grass and smelling flowers, hearing birds and feeling the sun smile on you...that's magical enough when you get to live it every year, but for the first time? That would be incredible.

~Misty
mbradenwf AT gmail.com

Texas Book Lover said...

Wow...how about my Kindle. Seriously I have somewhere near 400 books on it and I don't go anywhere with out! It would take a really great man to get it out of my hands anyway!

I would think walking and a fancy ass bathroom would be pretty great first!

Thank you! mmafsmith!

Texas Book Lover said...

Here's my tweet: http://twitter.com/#!/Maria_Smith_76/status/53451055387787265

Unknown said...

You've just sold something very important to the sea witch to become a human. What is it? (What would you give up for love?) WHAT WOULDNT I GIVE UP FOR TRUE LOVE ... EVERYTHING



And, what do you think would be the most thrilling to experience for the first time as a human? CHOCOLATE!

InnocentButler said...

Yeah, I think the first time in a car would be amazing and terrible. I would give nothing to the sea witch and stay as I was :)

Holly said...

Oh I can't wait to read this: I love all things mermaid!
My prize possessions are my books, but that wouldn't work to well in the water. But if it was for true love, I'd give anything to be with my love. The most thrilling experience would probably be kissing my true love outside of the water.
Walking would be the first thing anyone would do as a human, which would be an akward and di

Tweet:
http://twitter.com/#!/betweenbookends/status/53694188017029120

hollyjolly89@gmail.com

Tran D said...

I would give up one of my precious memory for love. The most thrilling experience would be running and kissing.

Tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/books_lover3/status/53724425887035392

alice13188(at)yahoo(dot)com

Kyo_Fangirl9 said...

For love, I would give up my ability to swim, I love swimming. The most thrilling experience is defiantly kissing. =D

Tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/Kyo_Fangirl/status/53908057784197120

simpsons1823@yahoo.com

Katie said...

I would give up my journal, it contains all my private thoughts and dreams. I think the most thrilling experience would be being in the air and flying.

katie_tp(at)yahoo(dot)com

Jen said...

I would sell the sea witch my lap top. I'm really addicted to it and for love I would give up anything because love is the most important thing in this world. Hmmm....thinking about it I don't think my lap top would do the sea witch any good seeing as electronics and water don't work. Well maybe she won't know that ;) I think the most thrilling experience as a human would be a rollercoaster ride. It still thrills me everytime I ride one :)

jen72684(aT)hotmail(dot)com

Jen said...

Thanks for the awesome giveaways you and Tynga are a couple of awesome chicks! I posted giveaway on twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/JenLD0336/status/54327922038800384

jen72684(aT)hotmail(dot)com

Pam S said...

Hmm I am not sure what specific I'd give up. Any physical item I own I'd happily trade for the sake of love. I think seeing the places on land - life/scenery out of the water - would be thrilling.

pams00 @ aol.com

Pam S said...

http://twitter.com/#!/pams00/status/54382930079924225

pams00 @ aol.com

Unknown said...

I guess that I would sell my computer or books. Walking would the most thrilling.
marlenebreakfield(at)yahoo(dot)com

Jolene and Family said...

I sold my grandmother's ring and I would give up my castle under the sea for love :) I don't have a castle, so for reality sake I would give up my beautiful house :) Material things have nothing on love. I would look forward to my first steps and the feel of grass between my toes

june111(at)att(dot)net

Jolene and Family said...

I tweeted

http://twitter.com/#!/joleneallcock/status/55740887354970112

june111(at)att(dot)net

FurryReaders said...

Tough one. I would give up my artistic ability to be truly loved and accepted. Things that would be amazing to experience would be hearing the sound of laughter, as well as laughing myself for the first time, petting a cat and feeling and hearing its purr (one of my favorite all time sounds), the feel of a kiss on my new skin and smelling a flower.

DaSwee94(at)yahoo(dot)com

Post a Comment

Let me have it...